California Department of Transportation

$825 Million allocated to create jobs and improve
transportation

OAKLAND – The California Transportation Commission
(CTC) today allocated $825 million in new funding to 92 highway, transit,
and rail projects that will strengthen California’s economy and upgrade the
state’s vast transportation system. The allocations included nearly $9
million from Proposition 1B, a 2006 voter-approved transportation bond. To
date, the state has allocated nearly $8 billion in Proposition 1B funds.

“From one end of the state to the other, transportation projects are
providing jobs and improving mobility for people and businesses in California,”
said Caltrans Acting Director Malcolm Dougherty.

Two notable design-build projects in Los Angeles County received $526 million
in allocations: the Gerald Desmond Bridge ($470 million) and the Interstate
10/Interstate 605 Direct Connector ($56 million). Design-build streamlines a
project by overlapping design and construction to speed up construction and
potentially reduce costs. Design-build is currently being used in 32 other
states. Caltrans obtained design-build authority in February 2009 with the
passage of Senate Bill 4 (second extraordinary session). The legislation
established a demonstration program, which allows 10 design-build projects for
Caltrans and five for local transportation agencies, subject to authorization by
the CTC.

Other highlights of the allocations include: · $49 million from the State
Highway Operations Preservation Program (SHOPP) to construct a new truck
climbing lane and rehabilitate pavement on Interstate 580 in Livermore. · $13
million in SHOPP funding to repair storm damage on Interstate 580 in Livermore ·
$42.3 million to relocate and expand the truck scale facility, relocate and
realign ramps to improve CHP truck inspections, and improve freeway efficiency
and safety for vehicle traffic.